Approach For Nuclear Criticality Safety During Demolition Of The K-25 Building

摘要

Demolition of the shut-down K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Uranium Enrichment Plant near Oak Ridge, TN includes technical challenges for nuclear criticality safety. Due to industrial safety issues the traditional decontamination and decommissioning (D&D) approach (i.e., removal, size reduction and containerization of process equipment prior to demolition) is too hazardous for workers. This paper describes use of a new approach, in-situ demonstration that process and auxiliary equipment complies with NCS criteria for demolition and disposal. This approach is being used to assure that criticality is not credible during demolition and disposal.